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Snow Angels Chester-le-Street 2021/22

As temperatures continue to tumble, the call has gone out for Snow Angels to help support the elderly and vulnerable this winter.

The Angels are needed to deliver emergency food parcels to residents who can’t get out of their homes in extreme weather.

Set up in 2011, PCSO’s Adrian Richards & Christine Taylor, Durham constabulary set up Snow Angels as a joint initiative involving staff from County Durham based housing association, Karbon Homes, Council warden, volunteers and other partner agencies.

Paul Hadden, Community Connector, Karbon Homes, said “Many of our tenants are elderly and vulnerable and it’s vital we make sure they stay safe and well this winter.

“We also know that our tenants, together with members of the local community, are very community spirited and willing to help their neighbours, so we’re urging people to sign up with the Snow Angels.”

Becoming a Snow Angel is easy – all volunteers need is warm clothing and a shovel. In the event of heavy snowfall, the police will contact previous volunteers and asked to clear and grit footpaths and driveways.

Volunteers from the police will also collect food parcels and distribute them throughout the community.

REfUSE in Chester-le-Street, Great Lumley Methodist Church and Batley’s Cash and Carry (who are supporting Snow Angels for the seventh year running) pledged their support for the project by offering to provide essential food items and parcels for distribution in the Chester-le-Street and surrounding areas in the event of an emergency.

Paul added: “During a cold snap a few years ago, one elderly woman was stranded in her home because her daughter, who was her primary carer and who visited her every day from York, couldn’t make the journey.

“When the Snow Angels got in touch, she had none of the essential, everyday items in her home – the cupboards were bare and she had no-one to ask for help.

“The police dropped off emergency supplies and checked up on her and we rang her daughter to reassure her that her mum was okay – that’s just one example of how this scheme can really make a difference, just by people being concerned about their neighbours.”

The project has gained support from Karbon Homes’ contractor Pyrocel who carry out fire alarm maintenance. Pyrocel are sponsoring £1000 to fund the essential food parcel items provided by REfUSE and Great Lumley Methodist Church as part of Karbon’s Unlocking Social Value programme, which matches the social value commitments of our contractors and suppliers with organisations across the region.

Steve Rush, Company Director, Pyrocel, said “Snow Angels is a remarkably kind and thoughtful project aimed at protecting the vulnerable members of our community during times of need. Our thanks go to the organisers and volunteers who have selflessly committed to making this happen. Hopefully our donation will play a small part in making this initiative sustainable and successful, at its most important time. Snow Angels epitomises the great community spirit we have here in the North East, and is more than an emergency delivery service. It brings people together, ensures the lonely aren’t isolated, will help preserve good mental and physical health and has the potential to save lives.”

Durham Constabulary’s PCSO Adrian Richards, of the Chester-le-Street Neighbourhood Policing Team, said “Why not volunteer to be part of the Snow Angels team and help and support our community through the winter by clearing footpaths and drives.

“We are hoping for a mild winter but now have everything in place to offer any vulnerable resident at Chester-le-Street and surrounding villages the offer of essential food items to be delivered to their address in the event of prolonged extreme weather.”

The Snow Angels initiative will run throughout December 2021 until March 2022. Anyone wishing to volunteer to clear paths and driveways in your area should email adrian.richards@durham.police.uk or christine.taylor@durham.police.uk.

You can also contact Adrian on his work mobile: 07812477382 or alternatively on 07946529456.

You can also contact Adrian or Christine to nominate a vulnerable person on your street to receive the Snow Angels service. Nominees will be placed into consideration to see if they are suitable candidates for the service.

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